Crowned Heads released their first Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive in 2014, and over the last two years the cigar has become one of the more anticipated annual TAA releases. Medium-full bodied with a good deal of flavor, the Angel’s Anvil 2016 TAA Exclusive will definitely please fans of Crowned Heads cigars. Like the original, the 2016 Angel’s Anvil is like to become quite hard to find, because the latest edition of the Angel’s Anvil is worthy of the anticipation and hype surrounding the release.

Pre-Light: The Angel’s Anvil 2016 TAA Exclusive is a great little compact cigar. At 5 1/2 inches and with a 54 ring gauge, with a beautiful box press, the Angel’s Anvil comes in a vitola that seems right for any occasion. The white and red band stands out against a very dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

The broadleaf wrapper of the Angel’s Anvil has a bit of cocoa and tree bark aromas to it. Caramel, chocolate, molasses and leather scents are noticeable from the cigar’s foot. An easy cold draw allows through flavors of molasses and Scottish shortbread cookies with hints of chocolate and spice.

Burn: The 2016 edition of the Angel’s Anvil is a beautiful cigar. The cigar has a perfect draw, that allows through plenty of flavorful smoke. A bright white ash clings very firmly to the end of cigar. The Angel’s Anvil was mostly even burning, and never required any correcting from a lighter.

Flavor: The Crowned Heads Angel’s Anvil 2016 TAA Exclusive starts out with chocolate, earth, pepper and slight mild caramel flavors. On the retrohale, leather and pepper are easily detectible. As the first third of the 2016 Angel’s Anvil gets going, there is a pleasing mix of chocolate, molasses, earth, caramel and pepper on the palate. During the transition to the second third of the cigar, there is an increase in pepper while chocolate, molasses, earth and leather remain the primary flavors. Toward the end of the second third of the 2016 Angel’s Anvil the pepper notes mellow out briefly before coming back with full force in the final third of the cigar. The final third of the Angel’s Anvil is very chocolatey with pepper and earth flavors rounding out the flavor profile.

Overall: The original 2014 Angel’s Anvil earned high marks from me and was a very impressive cigar, while the 2015 edition did not excite me as much. Yet, after trying the new Angel’s Anvil 2016 TAA Exclusive by Crowned Heads, my opinion is that it is easily the best Angel’s Anvil cigar to date. It is one of the best cigars to come from the company that was awarded the Cigar Media Association’s Brand of the Year Award in 2014. This cigar is right up there with the Yellow Rose or Headley Grange Laguito. There is a great mix of flavor and just the right amount of strength. Bordering on the full side of medium-full, the 2016 Angel’s Anvil will please fans of full bodied Connecticut Broadleaf cigars. Personally, I purchased a box the second they arrived in my local shop, and have quickly realized that one box may not be enough. I strongly suggest picking up this cigar at your local TAA retailer, as it is likely not to last very long.

Pairing: The Crowned Heads Angel’s Anvil 2016 pairs very well with a peaty Islay single malt such as the Arbeg Uigeadail, Lagavulin 16 or Laphroig 10. Those that prefer bourbon will find that the Angel’s Anvil 2016 compliments their drink of choice quite nicely.